Today in History:

396 Series I Volume XLII-II Serial 88 - Richmond-Fort Fisher Part II

Page 396 OPERATIONS IN SE.VA. AND N.C. Chapter LIV.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, August 22, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The following dispatch received from the plank road station:

7 A. M.

Enemy planting more guns on works by the lead-works, bearing to our left down the Weldon railroad. Camps unchanged.

H. W. FULTON.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. F. FISHER,

Major and Chief Signal Officer, Army of the Potomac.

PLANK ROAD STATION, August 22, 1864-12.50 p.m.

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The enemy has broken up a small camp immediately in front of this station. There seems to be a force of the enemy in line or massed immediately southward of the fort already mentioned as near and west of the Weldon railroad. It is impossible to tell the numbers, but they are visible at several points through openings in the timber. They are about one mile or more south of the lead-works. About 400 additional cavalry came down the road from the direction of Petersburg. The indication are that all the troops seen this morning are massed in the vicinity of that fort or about one mile south of the lead-works.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. F. FISHER,

Major and Chief Signal Officer.


HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SIGNAL DEPARTMENT, August 22, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

I have the honor to forward the following report just received:

WALTHALL HOUSE, August 22, 1864-9.45 a.m.

Twenty-two wagons and six ambulances have just passed the point on the Richmond road north 40 degrees west from here, moving toward Petersburg; squads of mounted men were mixed with the train. They probably belong up the column that passed that point an hour and a quarter ago, and which probably kept the Petersburg road instead of going to the right of Fort Clifton.

DAVIS,
Captain.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. S. STRYKER,

Acting Chief Signal Officer.

PLANK ROAD STATION, August 22, 1864-2 p.m.

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The enemy is fortifying along the railroad. The line of works they are throwing up are on the east side of the railroad and seemingly parallel with it and close to it. The line is between the fort


Page 396 OPERATIONS IN SE.VA. AND N.C. Chapter LIV.